The CAF leader landed in Dakar late Tuesday, greeted by Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegalese Football Federation. According to a CAF statement, Motsepe will first visit Gorée Island before meeting Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. A press conference is scheduled for 5:30 PM local time to address critical issues in African football, including the disputed CAN 2025 trophy allocation.

a mission to calm tensions

Motsepe announced in late March his intention to visit both Senegal and Morocco to emphasize the need for “working together to grow African football“. This outreach comes as the CAF faces intense criticism following the Appeals Committee’s decision to strip Senegal of its African Nations Cup title, awarding it to Morocco instead. The Senegalese Football Federation has appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a verdict expected in the coming months.

background of the dispute

The tense visit follows Senegal’s March 18 statement demanding an international investigation into “suspected corruption within the governing bodies” of the panafrican football institution. In response, Motsepe reaffirmed that no African nation receives preferential treatment, praising the independence of disciplinary bodies.